Lotte's pitcher are facing challenges as a team.

They practiced pickoff during fall practice at Zozo Marine Stadium last year, and are also spending a lot of time pickoff and quick throws at the Miyakonojo spring training camp.

pitcher coach Tomohiro Kuroki explained the intention behind the decision, saying, "Last fall, our team policy was to improve defense skills, such as quick pitches and pickoff. We were working on the challenge of playing more detailed baseball, so what we taught them in the fall has continued into the spring."

During pitch practice in bullpen, coordinator Tateyama Yoshinori encouraged the rookie players to "try incorporating some quick pitches," showing his efforts to get the whole team up to grips with the technique.

At the first live BP of the year on the 7th, the four pitchers who took the mound -Tokito Kawamura, Riku Kikuchi, Koshiro Hiroike, and Yuto Kimura were asked to pitch the last five of their 20 pitches quickly, and after they had finished throwing 20 pitches, they threw two pickoff pitches to first base.

Number of pitches in bullpen

Another thing that has changed is the number of pitches thrown in bullpen. Under former manager Masahito Yoshii, pitchers were monitored from spring training bullpen, and there were very few pitcher threw more than 100 pitches in a day.

In such a situation, in the bullpen on the 6th, ace Kazuya Ojima threw 115 pitches. Shota Ueda received Kojima's ball, but when Kojima's pitch count approached around 100, he could report, "The next 90 pitches!", but the coaches did not call for him to go near Kojima and end the pitch.

I wonder if he hasn't been managing the number of pitches as much this spring compared to previous years.

Coach Kuroki began by saying, "I do pay attention to the number of balls thrown," and explained, "If a player's form is unbalanced or there are questions about their performance, I will of course call out to them, but if they are in good condition, we will work to improve their accuracy, and some players are throwing a lot of balls through repetitive practice. I respect the players in that regard, but I am careful to manage them."

◆ Draft pick #1, Genki Ishigaki, entered bullpen twice.

First-round draft Genki Ishigaki (Kenta Takasaki High School) entered bullpen for the first time on the 3rd, and has since entered bullpen twice.

Lotte's high school graduates generally didn't enter bullpen during the rookie joint voluntary training period, and even after spring training began, they often only entered bullpen for the first time after February 10. Roki Sasaki, who currently plays for the Dodgers, also threw 25 fastball pitches in his first bullpen since turning pro on February 13.

Compared to recent high school graduate pitcher, does Genki Ishigaki have a more developed physique?

Coach Kuroki explained, "We look at the player's condition and, together with the coordinator, decide whether a certain volume and number of pitches will be enough and then put them in bullpen."

◆Towards a joyous autumn

Since the fall, the coordinators, coaches, players, and staff have been working together as one to ensure the team's win.

Regarding what he expects from the pitcher this season, Coach Kuroki said, "They need to be able pitch with precision. And that means being healthy and being able to maintain their positions for a whole year. If we can create a system throughout the year that allows the backup players to maintain their condition in case they are unable to maintain their position, I think we will be able to compete."

With Zozo Marine Stadium as their home ground, it is inevitable that they will play more defensive baseball than games where they win by hitting. They will continue to prepare in order to show the results of facing their challenges this season.

Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita